common station

   the common station was designed to accommodate LRT-1, MRT-3 and eventually MRT-7 “side to side.”
Head to head platforms for LRT1 and MRT3 with a 147.4-meter elevated walk-a-lator to the proposed MRT7 at North Avenue will be constructed.

Papal visit by the numbers

• 58 HECTARES Land area of Rizal Park
• 1-1.2 MILLION Estimated capacity of Rizal Park
• 6 MILLION Expected number of people to attend Mass at Rizal Park
• 4 MILLION Estimated number of people who attended the Mass led by Pope John Paul II on January 15, 1995—“the largest papal crowd in history”—according to Guinness World Records
• 200 Number of bishops who will attend the Pope’s Mass
• 2,500 Number of priests who will attend the Pope’s Mass
• 5,000 Number of lay ministers to give Communion during the Pope’s Mass
• 60,000 Number of choir members accompanied by a 200-member orchestra that will provide music at the Pope’s Mass
• 400 Portalets that will be set up around the park
• 20 First-aid stations that will be set up around the park
• 18 LED screens that will be set up along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard to Anda Circle to allow spillover crowds to follow the Mass at Quirino Grandstand

Compiled by Mariele Medina

Source: Inquirer Archives

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/665874/papal-visit-by-the-numbers#ixzz3Wde6dFAp Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook 

papal mass update

MMDA on Pope’s Luneta Mass: ‘Everything is in order’

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/666230/mmda-on-popes-luneta-mass-everything-is-in-order#ixzz3Wbf70XeC 

Shrugging off criticisms that crowd management at Pope Francis’ Mass in Luneta lacked order, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino on Sunday said that the event went smoothly as planned.

In a radio interview, Tolentino said he was pleased with the agency’s initial assessment after the Mass.

“Everything was in order. Everything that we have planned was implemented,” Tolentino said in an interview over dzBB minutes after the event.

He also added that without the cooperation of the pilgrims, the event would have been chaotic.

According to MMDA’s estimate, six million people attended Pope Francis’ third and final Mass in the country for his five-day apostolic and state visit and lined up on the pontiff’s route.

Injuries were reported after a scuffle ensued on Maria Orosa Street early Sunday morning as pilgrims clambered their way over metal barriers to get to Quirino Grandstand, the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said. A 13-year-old boy reportedly fainted after being crushed by the jostling crowd.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/666230/mmda-on-popes-luneta-mass-everything-is-in-order#ixzz3WbfM2vXB
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4 million heard Papal Mass in Luneta

By Mike Frialde (philstar.com) | Updated January 18, 2015 - 7:35pm

At least six million people gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park (formerly Luneta) and the route of the papal motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature to the historic park during the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on Sunday afternoon.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the crowd estimate in Rizal Park for the Mass of Pope Francis was four million and people at the park's perimeter numbered at least 360,000.

Additional two million people gathered along the route of Pope Francis' motorcade from the Apostolic Nunciature to Rizal Park.

The pope arrived at the rain-soaked Rizal Park at 2:43 p.m. aboard a jeepney-inspired popemobile and started the Mass early at 3 p.m.

In his homily, the pope expressed his concern for the family and urged the millions of pilgrims attending the outdoor Mass to "protect" the family.

"[The Santo Nino] reminds us of the importance of protecting our families and those larger families, which are the Church, God's family, and the world, our human family," the Roman Pontiff said in English.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said that six children who got separated from their relatives remained in the care of the agency as of 3 p.m.

The MMDA identified the children as Nicole Coryna, 9; Trishia Yanib, 8; Mary Zyle Guinto, 12; Leegil Bret, 12; Eriza Zapico; Joshua Dalmatio, 7.

Two adults were also brought to the MMDA’s “lost and found tents” after they were found separated from their relatives. They were identified as Nena Clark, 66; and Sol San Dingan, 57. Jona Espejo

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/01/18/1414339/4-million-heard-papal-mass-luneta

Due to long lines at portalets, devotees relieve themselves elsewhere January 18, 2015 2:19pm

As the lines to portalets and public restrooms in nearby restaurants and fastfood chains continue to grow, many of the devotees who have gathered in Manila for the Pope's Mass have decided to relieve themselves in elsewhere.

Some men used a fence at a construction site to relieve themselves, while a father told his son to do it behind a tree.

A number of women were also seen covering themselves and others with tarpaulin to urinate.

Millions are expected to attend the Pope's Mass on Sunday afternoon at the Quirino Grandstand.

As of posting time, a portion of Rizal Park near the Lapu-Lapu Shrine already reeks of urine. — Amita Legaspi/BM, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/popefrancis/story/409255/due-to-long-lines-at-portalets-devotees-relieve-themselves-elsewhere

Pope holds final motorcade before departure (philstar.com) | Updated January 19, 2015 - 9:07am

Pope Francis is now on his way to Villamor Airbase in Pasay City for his departure for Rome, Italy on Monday morning.

The pontiff is on board the pope mobile which left the Apostolic Nunciature around 9:04 a.m.

Numerous Filipinos again lined up along the papal route to get their final glimpse of the esteemed Catholic leader.

Pope Francis is scheduled to be given a send-off ceremony at the Presidential Pavilion of the Villamor Air base at 9:45 a.m. and is set to depart for Rome at 10 a.m.

The pope is concluding his five-day state and apostolic visit here, which has been highlighted by his trip to typhoon-hit Leyte on Saturday.

On Sunday, he also officiated a holy mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, which was attended by a record crowd of six million.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/01/19/1414559/pope-holds-final-motorcade-departure

Tutuban Center signs lease deal to host North-South railway station

THE DEVELOPER of Tutuban Center in Manila on Wednesday agreed to lease to the government a portion of its mall, to accommodate the transfer station of the North-South Railway Project (NSRP).

In a statement on Wednesday, Prime Orion Philippines, Inc. said its subsidiary Tutuban Properties, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Transportation department and the Philippine National Railways.

“Under the MoU, the parties agreed to cooperate in the finalization and completion of the plans for the NSRP within a period of six months,” the statement read.

The lease agreement will be effective until 2039.

The NSRP will come in two phases. The first is the North Line, a 37-kilometer elevated commuter railway that will run from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban. The second phase is the South Line, a 653-kilometer railway from Tutuban to Legazpi City in Albay province.

The west extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) will also reach the Manila port area and will have one of its major stations in front of the shopping complex.

The LRT-2 station will be interconnected to the NSRP transfer station in Tutuban and initial studies show that this will result in additional daily foot traffic of some 400,000 people for the Tutuban Center area.

Listed Prime Orion has said it will expand the leasable area of Tutuban Center by 40,000 square meters (sq.m). from the current 60,000 sq.m. in the next two or three years.

The North Line is expected to cost P117 billion and is targeted for implementation this year with a 35-year operating period starting 2020. The Japanese government will fund the project through an official development assistance loan. 

The South Line, meanwhile, will cost P170 billion and will be implemented under the public-private partnership scheme. -- Daphne J. Magturo  

Lawmakers, groups to seek TRO vs train fare hike

LEGISLATORS led by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito and various groups will ask the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the fare increases of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT).

In a media advisory issued on Monday, Ejercito said he will be joined by Representatives Gustavo Tambunting (Paranaque), Leah Paquiz (Ang Nars Partylist), and Lito Atienza, Irwin Tieng and Mariano Michael Vellarde of Buhay Partylist in filing the petition for TRO at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Other petitioners include former Cavite representative Crispin Remulla, Allan Tanjusay of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Allan Montano of Federation of Free Workers, Leody de Guzman of Buklurang Manggagawang Pilipino, Rene Magtubo of Partido Manggagawa; and Annie Geron of PS Link.

At 1:30 p.m. of same day, the Senate will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed fare hike of the Philippine National Railways and the plan to modernize and rehabilitate its trains and facilities.

Due to continuing glitches of rail transits, the Department of Transportation and Communications increased the fare rates of MRT-3 and LRT Lines 1 and 2 to improve its service, beginning January 4.

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile, said any further delay in the promised upgrade and rehabilitation of MRT-3 is "unacceptable."

"Our commuters have long been aggrieved and any further delay in the accomplishment of vowed upkeep and upgrade is certainly unacceptable. We must hold accountable all those negligent on carrying out their duties," said Poe.

In the wake of repeated railways system malfunctions since the implementation of the fare increase, Poe asked Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to submit within five days a progress report on committed deliverables to improve the train system.

Poe also asked Abaya to find ways to expedite the completion of deliverables as allowed by law and as demanded by the urgency of undertaking such repairs to protect the commuting public.

Earlier, Poe asked Abaya and train officials to report the completion of its rehabilitation projects, which includes the maintenance of facilities, particularly the elevators and escalators, and restrooms, as well as the installation of elevated water tanks in the next two months.

During the February 2 Senate hearing on MRT-3 malfunction, Abaya presented the following rehabilitation deliverables with their target completion dates: consulting services (April 2015), rail replacement and signaling system upgrade (September 2015), radio communications upgrade (November 2015), supply of traction motors (October 2015), conveyance facilities (January 2016), ancillary system (April 2016), supply of OCS road-rail vehicle and grinding machine rail vehicle (May 2016), total replacement of signaling system (October 2016), and general train overhaul (January 2017).

Abaya also committed the completion of the full rehabilitation of the restrooms in all stations by early this year.

Likewise, Transportation and Communications for Operations director Renato San Juan promised to complete the installation of elevated water tanks to enable water to reach the 13 stations by May 2015, with a P5 million budget.

"We definitely want to know the exact level of progress and current accomplishments on every identified rehabilitation project. Let's show concern to those passengers who have been long suffering," Poe said.

Poe also reminded Abaya to submit a report on deductions it has made as "penalties for non-performance" by maintenance provider APT Global, which currently receives P57 million per month.

"If commuters are paying higher fares, it is only reasonable for them to expect improved service. An efficient and reliable mass transportation system helps improve workforce productivity and our economy," Poe said.

On February 27, the MRT suffered a minor glitch when a southbound train stopped abruptly before it reaches the next station.

Last weekend, the Department of Transportation and Communications shortened trips of trains to give way to rail replacement works. (Sunnex)

Bid invitation for NLEx-SLEx connector road expected in June

THE GOVERNMENT will open the door in June to companies that intend to outdo Manila North Tollways Corp.’s (MNTC) P18-billion offer to link the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Tuesday.

This follows the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board’s decision in February to move forward with the unsolicited proposal, which involves the construction of an elevated road connecting the two expressways.

MNTC is the tollways unit of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) that currently operates NLEx and had long been seeking to connect that expressway to the southern corridor exiting Metro Manila.

“That was already approved by NEDA Board, so now we can publish ITB (invitation to bid) within the year,” DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said on the sidelines of Euromoney’s Philippine Investment Forum in Makati City on Tuesday.

Asked for more details, Ariel C. Angeles, officer-in-charge and director of the Public-Private Partnership Service of DPWH, said in a mobile phone reply: “We hope to publish in June. We are just sorting out some terms with MNTC.”

In February, the NEDA Board ruled that the contract should be bid out via Swiss challenge -- the course the government takes when dealing with unsolicited proposals, which requires an invitation to make competing offers while giving the original proponent the right to match them.

MNTC first submitted an unsolicited proposal in 2010 for the connector road, and on Jan. 21 last year, signed a joint venture agreement with state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. -- the holder of the NLEx franchise -- to build that road.

But several months later, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued an opinion on the joint venture proposal, saying that the NEDA Board approval of the agreement between MNTC and PNCC is “without factual basis or justification.”

The DoJ opinion also stated that the DPWH, under Section 3 of the Build-Operate-Transfer Law, could proceed with the consideration of the unsolicited proposal.

The MNTC proposal was then again subjected for NEDA review.

“As of now, no companies have expressed interest,” Mr. Singson said, though he noted that absence of interest thus far is no reason not to proceed with a Swiss challenge, “because that’s the legal process.”

Sought for comment, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) President Ramoncito S. Fernandez said on the sidelines of the same event: “We’re ready for the Swiss. We are just waiting for the government to invite proponents. We’ll fight for it.”

The original unsolicited proposal of MNTC involved a 13.5-kilometer elevated road that will connect North and South Luzon expressways, including a five-kilometer common alignment from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) to Buendia Avenue in Makati City.

Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp., which is also pursuing its own proposed connector road project with San Miguel Corp., has already obtained financing for the common alignment portion of the road. The San Miguel group’s P26.5-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 project is a six-lane 14.8-kilometer expressway, from Buendia Avenue in Makati City to Balintawak in Quezon City, connecting the SLEx to NLEx.

Malacañang approved the contract for the Skyway Stage 3 project in September 2013.

The NLEx-SLEx connector road would link C-3 in Caloocan City to the PUP campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Parts of the segment would run above the lines of the Philippine National Railways.

MRT-8 Project

If plans don’t go awry, the east will soon meet the west in Metro Manila.

The vital link is a $1 billion rail transit system that will connect the eastern towns of Rizal to the urban centers in Metro Manila.

The provincial government of Rizal on Thursday signed a memorandum of agreement with a foreign consortium for the construction of the mass transport system, Gov. Casimiro Ynares said yesterday.

American Transport Systems Corp. (ATSC) heads the consortium that offered to design and build the 20-km railway system called MRT-8 East Rail.

MRT-8 will have stations in Tanay, Taytay and Angono — all boom towns of Rizal. It will connect to stations to be built in Shaw Boulevard and Ortigas Avenue.

Details of how MRT-8 will be built and who will finance it are still under wraps, but Rizal appears bent on implementing the project.

“The province of Rizal is now ready to move forward. We are confident that the key players in the Philippines will join us in this exceptional development opportunity, amid the need for an efficient transport system and accessibility to and from Metro Manila,” Ynares said.

ATSC chairman and chief executive officer Norbert von Boode described MRT-8 as a “regional mass transit system,” addressing the traffic and accessibility problem of Metro Manila and provinces in its outskirts.

Rizal and the consortium are set to finalize the parameters for a sound legal and financial framework.

MRT-8 requires approval of the national government, through the Cabinet-level Investment Coordinating Council.

ATSC pledged to provide both railway and roadway infrastructure based on an integrated, risk sensitive investment strategy.

To be able to finance the proposed project, the province has agreed to consider the issuance of bonds and other long term securities and a revised tax structure for properties adjacent to and affected by the project.

The ATSC-led group includes Vinci Construction Grand Projects, Bombardier Transport, Invensys/Foxboro, Systra, SA, Dmjm-Harris/Maunsell (American engineering family of companies), Dubin Capital Partners, Alexander Forbes and Investec European Capital.

Maaaring may nakapansin na sa MRT-8 proposal. Hopefully masimulan ito at least after three years para makatulong ng malaki sa mga taga-Rizal, Pasig, Mandaluyong at Maynila. Kahit hanggang Tikling lang makakatulong na talaga ito sa mga pasahero. :cheers:

MRT-8 has been planned for quite a while, actually. I just hope it follows the original alignment (Ortigas-Shaw, starting at V. Mapa/Santa Mesa and ending at Cainta for Phase 1, and at Santa Cruz, Laguna for Phase 2).

Wow! malapit na sa amin! MRT 8 Phase 1 - 2017. Phase 2- 2020! Wishful thinking!

Wow! Another line! Sana sabay-sabay matapos ang line 7, 8 at south extension. Aprubahan na agad yan!

Top PHL firms form consortium for P123-B Laguna Lakeshore Expressway bid

Four big names in Philippine business have formed a consortium to bid for the P122.8-billion Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike project, the biggest public-private partnership (PPP) initiative of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Ayala Land Inc., Megaworld Corp. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. formed Trident Infrastructure and Development Corp., a joint venture incorporated for the purpose of pre-qualifying for bidding and evaluating the feasibility of the PPP project, the companies said in separate disclosures to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday.

 

Each of the four companies have an effective equal share of 25 percent in the consortium.

Four consortia filed initial documents on Friday to qualify to bid for the Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike project, among them Trident Infrastructure and Development Corp. – a partnership of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Megaworld Corp., Ayala Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc., according to a Reuters report.

The consortium filed the pre-qualification documents before the DPWH for the Laguna Lakeshore project, the companies said the dislosures.

 

Prospective bidders were given until 2 Friday to submit the prequalification documents, PPP Center director Christine Antonio told GMA News Online.

San Miguel and two other consortia – Rainbow Holdings Inc. and the MTD-PAVI-Hanshin Consortium that includes Malaysia's MTD Capital Berhad – also submitted pre-qualification documents.

The deadline for submission of qualification documents for the Laguna Lakeshore project was moved from October 16, 2014, to January 14, 2015 and then to February 27 "to give more time for bidders as they requested even longer periods for extension," DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson earlier said.

 

24 companies bought bid documents for the project.

 

The expressway-dike project – which involves the construction of a 47-kilometer, flood-control dike cradling a six-lane toll road – seeks to ease the traffic flow and flooding in the Western coastal communities from Bicutan in Taguig to Calamba in Laguna along Laguna Lake, according to the PPP Center.

 

It covers a 700-hectare reclamation component abutting the expressway-dike and separated from the shoreline by a 100- to 150-meter channel in Taguig and Muntinlupa.

 

Team Trident combines the infrastructure expertise of the Aboitiz and Ayala groups as well as the reclamation and land development experience of Aboitiz, Ayala Land, Megaworld and SM Prime, according to the disclosure.

 

"The consortium also benefits from the combined financial muscle and the national and international network of experts that the four companies have, which will be able to benefit millions of Filipinos and thousands of businesses along the western shore of Laguna de Bay," the companies said. – VS, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/443641/top-phl-firms-form-consortium-for-p123-b-laguna-lakeshore-expressway-bid/story/